Ruff Looks Toward Season

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - The only thing missing on coach Lindy Ruff's calendar is a day when the Buffalo Sabres can open training camp now that an NHL labor agreement is nearly in place.

Otherwise, Ruff's plans are firmly in order in preparing for a tight turnaround in which the Sabres - and everyone else - will have little time to be ready for a regular season expected to open within 10 days.

Ruff, on Wednesday, says he has two practice schedules drawn up. One is in the event training camp opens Sunday, and another if it's pushed back a day. With no time to squeeze in preseason games, Ruff raised the possibility of the Sabres scrimmaging against Rochester, their American Hockey League affiliate.